Automatic gate



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E. L. ROPER AUTOMATIC GATE Filed Oct; 9, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l fri e7; INVEN-roR ATTORNEY www3 Des., my 31935,

E. L. ROPER AUTOMATIC GATE Filed oct. 9, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l Il INVENTOR ATTOR N EY Patented Dec. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 9,

1 Claim.

This invention relates to gates and has for the primary object the provision of a device of this character which will readily open under the weight of a vehicle and will automatically assume entrance closing position when disengaged by the vehicle and when in the latter-named position will bar the passing of live stock and the like through the entrance;

With these and other objects in view this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, illustrating a gate constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View sho-wing the gate secured in open position.

Figure 3 is a top plan View illustrating the gate.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional View showing the gate secured in open position.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral I indicates spaced vertically arranged posts dening an entrance and supported by a concrete foundation 2. A road foundation 3 of concrete or similar material is arranged between the posts and has embedded therein upstanding slotted brackets or elements 4 through which hinge bars 5 extend of the gate elements 6. ments 6 each include side members 'l connected by relatively spaced cylindrical elements 8 preferably in the form of rollers. The side members 'I at their adjacent ends are slotted and arranged in overlapped relation and are slidably connected, as shown at 8. Cables 9 are connected to the slidably connected ends of the gate elements and 40 pass over pulleys It mounted in the upper ends of the posts, the latter having their opposing faces slotted to permit free movement of the cables. Weights I I are connected to the cables and operate within the posts and act to normally support the gate elements in upwardly inclined positions to bar the passing of live stock and the like through the entrance defined by the posts. A vehicle engaging with either of the gate elements 6 will cause said gate elements to move downwardly in engagement with the road foundation with the roller like elements 8 entering grooves I2 so that the vehicle may readily pass The gate ele- 1934, Serial No. 747,619

through the entrance, the gate elements assuming entrance closing position immediately on being disengaged by the vehicle by the influence of the weights II.

The slotted brackets i will permit a limited 5 upward movement of the hinged ends of said gate elements should the latter fail to assume a level position upon the roadbed due to obstruction from foreign matter, such as dirt, sand, snow or the like.

Cushion means I3 are interposed in the cabl'es for absorbing the initial shock of the Vehicle contacting with the gate elements to open the latter and cushion springs i4 are also mounted on the cables between the weights I I and guide brackets l5 I5 carried by the posts to cushion the upward movement of the weights.

To` permit live stock to pass through the entrance or to maintain the latter in an open position, removable pins i6 are provided in the lower 20 ends of the posts and may be readily positioned over the side elements 'I of the gate elements when lowered into engagement with the roadbed 3. The roller-like elements 8 lying in the grooves I2 of theroadbed will permit live stock to readily 25 pass through the entrance without danger of injury from tripping or the like.

Having described the invention, I claim:

A gate comprising spaced gate posts defining an entrance, a roadbed for said entrance and 30 having transversely and longitudinally arranged grooves in its top surface, pairs of upstanding brackets secured to said roadbed, pivotally and slidably connected gate elements overlying said roadbed and extending between the posts and 35 brackets, means connected to said posts and to the gate elements for normally supporting the latter in entrance-closing position and permitting lowering thereof to engage the roadbed by the weight of a vehicle, said gate elements includ- 40 ing side elements and transversely arranged rollers movable into the grooves to permit said gate elements to be substantially flush with the top surface of the roadbed when lowered, and means pivotally and slidably connecting said gate elements to the brackets whereby a limited upward movement of said gate elements may be had at the brackets should said gate elements engage obstacles on the roadbed preventing the entrance of the gate elements into the grooves.

EDWARD L. ROPER. 

